Victory

What a week.

I don’t think that I have ever been in a position that has required so much, however I have never been in a position that has returned so much.  Two things new to me that I wish I had applied years ago:  audibly renouncing satan and glorifying God.

A few nights ago, I felt a weight like I have never felt.  I got in that quiet state.  You know the one?  Severe irritability, easily angered, often misunderstood, and overly analytical.  The kind that you just want to run away to a fa raway place and never return.  Most men claim that only women have these “moments”, but I am here to tell ya….that’s been me this week; a complete ball of fun.

I have had many of these “moods” in the past, as you probably know, but recently, I have solely diagnosed them to the work of the dark side.  Spiritual attacks will always be there, but my vulnerability to them is directly related to my time spent in communication with God.  I have recently spent more time talking to myself than Him.  Suddenly, what should be my good days become my bad days and what should be my bad days become my good ones.   Focus off, therefore truth distorted.  Shouldn't success be measured by how many victories I have been a part of vs. how easily my day went?  These “moods” come when I have had a succession of losses/hurts over a long period of time.

1)      “Sally” looked at me with an abnormal face.

2)      My friend went to that person when they would typically ask me?!

3)      Crap….where’s my wallet?

4)      Twisted ankle.

5)      Freakin bugs…

6)      Some strange, scary dream about kids and corpses.

7)      Diesel in my truck.

8)      “Sally” with the face again.

9)      Stressed…no sleep.

Shouldn’t my day read like this?

1)      Victory

“History split by sacrifice,

God’s perfect son gave up his life,

To ransom back the lost and dead,

Paying the price justice demands.

True love was shown true love defined,

As He was scorned and crucified,

He tore the vale, bridged the divide,

Taking us from darkness to light.

As He was broken, Heaven was opened,

Our judgment lifted, our sins acquitted,

His loving kindness freely invites us,

Into the realms of grace.

Sing a new song,

Sing of His goodness,

Sing of His goodness,

Sing of His wonderful love.”

Jeremy Riddle

“Acquitted”

Randomness

My Sweet Friend Ana

My "Not-so-sweet" Friend Black Widow

Miller Boys

Settling In

I called my house "home" for the first time last week.  Crazy when I step back and think that I've only been here for three months.  It took me several years and countless backyard smallmouth to call Ohio home.  

Every three weeks, I run night shift.  I sit in the dark dorm with the hum of the fan pulling in cool air.  Rustling shadows cast on the walls by moonlight slowly become motionless, and for a second, time seems to stand still.  It is in these times that I talk with God.  Not to Him.  With Him.  Tucked deep between lost and nowhere....God.  In a crowded room of bunk beds with the faint stench of dirty clothes....God.  My mind drifts to the leaving of relationships that are more valuable to me than the richest man can afford, inching across the West with my belongings in a "sack", and the indescribable drop of my heart as I drive onto a campus of unknowns.  God awakes one of the boys for a timely repositioning of sheets, and through this....He speaks.  

"I love them....just like I love you.  What you have done to the least of men, you are doing to me, but your sacrifices are as worthless to me as menstrual rags.  It is I who gives you a burning desire for love and obedience."

For the second time in three months, my emotions explode through teardrops, and I'm instantly refilled with an overwhelming compassion for each of the fourteen boys.  Satan desires to take our focus off of God and place it in our dead works, or more specifically, ourselves.  Do we truly desire God, or are we just seeking the reward?  I desire compassion.  

"Then He added, "Now go and learn the meaning of this scripture: "I want you to show mercy, not sacrifices.  For I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they sinners."  

Mat 9:13

Frequently Asked Questions

What is RVCA?

     RVCA stands for River View Christian Academy.  It is currently comprised of about 15 boys and 25 girls and growing.  There are approximately 20-25 staff ranging from administrators to maintenance men.   It started in the San Diego area in the 90’s and was evacuated some time after because of a forest fire.  It was relocated to Northern California where it is in operation today.

How are the boys admitted?

     The students are admitted based on the parents’ choice.

How old are the boys?

     They can range from 14-18, but most of them are on the older side.

What do you do on a typical workday?

     My job as “house parent” is to take biblical principles and enforce them.  The rules are clear cut.  When a rule is broken, the discipline is quick and clear.  As a general rule of thumb, I prefer to encourage and affirm more than I discipline….which means there needs to be a lot of encouragement.

                7:30 to 8:00   – Wake boys up

                8:30 to 9:30   – Breakfast

                9:30 to 12:30 – School

                12:30 to 1:30 – Lunch

                1:30 to 3:00   – School

                3:00 to 4:00   – Free Time

                4:00 to 5:30   – Physical Activity

                5:30 to 7:00   – Showers/Free Time

                7:00 to 8:00   – Dinner

                8:00 to 9:15   – Evening Activity

                9:15 to 9:30   – Get Ready for Bed

                9:30                – Bedtime

     I work Sunday through Wednesday and have off Thursday through Saturday.  Every three weeks I am on night shift.

How do the boys graduate?

     They start at level “A” and graduate at level “L3”.  Every 3 weeks they get a chance to level up if they have accumulated enough points.  They earn points for school, phys. Ed., kitchen chores, dorm chores, attitude, etc.  The amount they earn is based on their performance in that certain category.  The success of the program depends solely on the accuracy of each dock/bonus in points which places a large responsibility on us.  Our job is not to fix them.  Our job is not to convert them.  That’s God’s work.  Our job is to live out the fruits of the spirit through accurate discipline and teaching.  As they chose to apply these principles in their own life, they will see fruit and blessing and then be pointed to the source.  Simply put; we are to be hearers AND doers.

Do you have your own house or do you sleep in the dorm?

     I have my own house.  Well…..it’s half of a duplex, but it’s perfect for me.  The campus is huge and tucked deep in the pines.  My house, by God, is in the back corner of the property.  It needs some improvements here and there, but it is quite the humble abode.

Can I visit and how do I get in contact with you?

     Yes!  Come up and visit.  You are always welcome, but the best days to visit would be on my days off.  Just leave me a text or voicemail if you know you will be visiting a couple weeks in advance.  If it’s a short notice, I check my Facebook every other day so just drop me a message there and I will contact you.  If it's a short short notice.....we're outta luck.

What do you do on your days off?

     I have no cell service…..period.  I drive down to Redding (45 minutes) once a week to get my groceries and voicemails/texts for the week.  My iPhone has become a pricey paperweight…..and I've learned to love it.  Just out my back door I can hike to a big rock overlook, hike to a waterfall, fly fish on two ponds, or mountain bike on endless trails.  With a little driving, the outdoor opportunities are endless.  One of my recent favorite discoveries is a high altitude reservoir about 10 miles away that is heavily stocked with Rainbows and Browns.  During the spring and summer months, fishing is a way of life around here.  As far as hunting goes, this area is mainly deer, bear, rabbit, and quail.  In about an hour’s drive in the northeast direction, there are thicker populations of elk, antelope, and sheep.  My zone is regulated so I had to put my name in for a Blacktail Deer draw and will know in a few days whether I can hunt right here or if I will need to drive West to an open zone.

14" Brown

Limit

     If I could share one lesson that I've learned on this unique journey, I would say that I was living too extravagant which made my life entirely too complicated.  I spent so much time finding time that I lost track of time.  Out here, I live simply enough to enjoy each minute as it comes instead of dreading/anticipating the future.  This has made it easier to focus on the one thing that matters.  Please let that go from your head to your heart.  Is your life so complicated that you have no time for God?  If you are saying, “God can be in everything that I do, so it’s ok to schedule out my evenings and weekends as long as I focus on Him.”, can I ask you…..are you?  If so, continue on.  If not, don’t compromise by living the cycle of being distracted for a while, then realizing you need a break to spend time with God.   I have a feeling that most regrets by Christian’s on their deathbeds deal specifically with this topic.  Life with God is now and forever; every minute of every day.

Snake

I Love You Mom

The following are conversations or encounters I have had during the past month

• A student informed me of a "Rattle looking snake" in the school hallway.  It's dead.
• Rattlesnakes are actually quite common.
• A scorpion bum rushed me at my house.
• A raccoon resembling a hotdog eating contest victor has invaded my back porch but can't seem to show up when I'm armed.
• Lizards are as numerous as gnats.
• Earthquakes are common.
• This area has an extremely high concentration of sex offenders.
• Mountain Lions are prevalent and, apparently, will stalk and kill our lunch lady's Bullmastiffs.
• That same lunch lady informed me that the Mexican Cartel prefers our area to grow their "cash crop" because of its numerous mountain springs.
• The local drug eradication team lands fully armed on our baseball diamond in helicopters from time to time.
• Forest fires are very common.  Last night, the nearby ridge was glowing with pretty red and white colors.

Other than that, things are pretty safe.

First Visitor

Sara Stull was out to visit this week.  How do you take someone a tour of the area you have not even had the chance to adequately tour yourself?  Google.  We were able to take a grand tour of RVCA, Redding and Whitmore, and also visit one of the sweetest falls I have ever seen.

Burney Falls

Home

     Reading the Bible to attain a clear picture of who God is is not enough.  We are instructed to "taste and see".  Likewise, attempting to paint the picture of my new habitat, or any location for that matter, with words, is a task that's quite an undertaking if not impossible.  It's as though we need all four senses engaged before we can get a true revelation of an item's entire consistency.  Considering that I can't afford to buy you all tickets, I will wrestle with the impossible.
     Redding is a town of nearly 90,000 and located at the northern tip of the Sacramento Valley.  It has a Wal-mart, Lowes, many different restaurants, coffee shops, outdoor stores, pawn shops, and churches.
     Bethel Church is by far one of the largest attractions in Redding.  One man saw my Ohio plates and asked whether I moved to the area to attend there.  It has not been uncommon for me to overhear a conversation concerning the church.  While trimming my hair, a beautician told me of her healings associated with Bethel.  Last week, I attended one of their Friday revival services and was lead into a worship that was unbelievably free and in union with the Spirit that lives in me.  Surrounded by all cultures and creeds, God was exalted to the place that only He deserves.  People expressing themselves in interpretive dance, loud shouting, repentant and joyful prayer, and exuberant singing that had to have included one hundred different parts that all made the most harmonious song I have ever heard.  Am I exaggerating?  No.  I feel like I have not done justice to what God is doing in this town.  In just a month, I have had numerous conversations with complete strangers in Redding that are on fire for God, and have entirely devoted themselves to Him, and, by my judgement, are sincere in their testimonies (and I am a sceptic if there ever was one).  I will not be attending there regularly, but it is exciting to see God working through His people in fascinating ways.
     Redding (5oo ft.) is surrounded by mountains on three sides.  If you were to drive for about an hour, you would arrive at either the Trinity Alps (9,ooo ft.) to the West, Mount Shasta (14,ooo ft.) to the North, and Lassen Peak (1o,ooo ft.) to the East.
     Whitmore, near where I am located, is Northeast of Redding at about 3,ooo ft. in the foothills between Lassen Peak and Mount Shasta.  Its 166 people make for a bustling and cutthroat environment, and the general store and gas station's meager prices would only bankrupt a millionaire looking for a loaf of bread.  If you continue East seven miles and up one thousand feet on a road that could easily put Lombard St. to embarrassment, you would arrive at the remote Riverview Christian Academy (the small grassy spot at the top of the following picture).

Lookout Peak (4,500 ft.)

   

Arrival in Whitmore

I woke up in Susanville only to find a flat trailer tire.....not too bad considering the 2,800 miles I logged.  Did I mention the transmission exploded all over the road?  Yeah that happened too.  I think I actually returned the truck with less parts than I started with.  Luckily they were impressed with my dashing good looks and cunning personality and offered me a generous settlement of never coming back again.  I DID get the time to snap a few pictures of my home area.  Check it out!

Lassen National Park

Lassen National Park

Whitmore Area

Life on the Road (Part 3)

California!

I left Salt Lake City in late morning and was getting pretty drowsy around the California line.  Let me just say that, in my mind, California has always had this evil shroud of obscene legalities and stipulations on objects from as small as toothpicks to as large as redwoods.  As I headed North out of Reno, I saw a large California sign proclaiming the imminent cavity search of my box truck.....and possibly me if I so much as blinked.  My trembling headlights made their way under a dimly lit canopy where an older lady ordered the immediate removal of my keys.  As I rolled down my window, she asked me where I was from and where I was headed.  I figured now wouldn't be a good time to slur my speech, but when I attempted to explain that I was headed to Whitmore, I completely forgot the name of the town...  This started a large slippery slope of mutterings and stutterings and fumblings and such like.  She asked me to get out of the truck and make my way to the back where she could inspect my collection of heat lamps and illegals.  She may have been shocked to see a young man with a truck full of dusty antiques, but, in a timely manner, I had remembered all of the information she required.  Her countenance changed like the colors on a chameleon and tears filled her eyes.  As the cars began to pile up behind us, she began to unload her childhood years and the deep hurt that she experienced growing up.  Without hesitation, we both burst into prayer for each other, and I left as quickly as I had arrived.  The next sixty miles were silent.  No radio.  Just the sound of high speed rubber on asphalt.  I tried to hold in the well of tears, but it was impossible.  I wept like a child.  I cried "I miss my family" tears, "I'm scared" tears, but most of my tears poured from excitement and praise.  I have felt this trip for as long as I can remember and it was happening....now.  That dark stretch of highway was by far the most beautiful of the entire trip, and the profoundness of beauty being a feeling and not an object of sight had never been so clear and concise.  As I slipped into Susanville, I booked a room and drifted off to sleep.  Tomorrow I would arrive in Whitmore.

Life on the Road (Part 2)

Ok so I guess Iowa gets snow.....in May.....six inches of it.  I have a picture to prove it.

Nebraska.....boring.  Wyoming....yeah boring too.  Nevada?  You guessed it.  If you ever get the chance to visit Utah, however, take it.  Maybe it was just the major boredom of the three states prior, but I'm convinced that Jesus Himself will likely touch down in the snowy mountains near Salt Lake City when He returns.  For fear of driving off of the cliffs, I didn't take many pictures so you'll just have to take my word for it.

I guess I did get a chance to play 9 holes at some random desert town in Nevada.  I was hoping for a miracle of some sort, but.....I still stink.

(this was my 2nd chip shot)

Life on the Road (Part 1)

Welp.  I made it.  After a few minor/major setbacks, my house is technically settled.,,,,if settled means stacks of boxes and furniture placed in random locations similar to a junkyard.  This place is crazy cool!  I'm getting ahead of myself though.  The journey started with my first goal set on Mattoon, IL.

Back in the days of ADDICT in Piqua, OH, I got to build a sweet relationship with two boys named Kevin and Dwayne.  They ended up moving to Illinois, and I had hoped to one day go out and visit them.  (Somehow I thought that my 24' box truck pulling the 4runner could navigate back roads and alleys with ease)  After arriving a few hours late, I parallel parked the barge between two lowered cadillacs in a dark alley and walked hesitantly to my friends' house.  They hadn't changed much....except for the lower voices, chin stubble, and added 3 feet in height.  Fortunately, they were able to skip school the next day and spend a little time with me.  We visited many major landmarks in the area such as a random dam, a skate park, Abraham Lincoln's parent's house...haha, and some farm store similar to an old farmer's wood shed.  After spending the night on the couch, I hugged em' by and pointed toward Redding.

Yes that's the notorious Nancy and Thomas Lincoln house